Judge to consider long-running prison case

BOISE (AP) — A federal judge is considering whether to allow a lawsuit brought by inmates at an Idaho prison should move forward.

The Idaho State Correctional Institution inmates sued about 30 years ago alleging poor conditions and limited access to medical care. They won, but the federal court has continued oversight of the prison to see if the state is complying with the ruling.

Now a court-appointed expert has filed a report on medical care at the prison, which U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill will review as he decides whether to close the lawsuit. State attorneys say the report is inflammatory and should remain sealed for now, but attorneys for the inmates say the report should be immediately unsealed.

A court conference on the matter is set for Thursday afternoon.